Mars boys soccer still searching for win after third straight tie, but Sebastian Fratangelo scores 1st career goal
ADAMS TWP — Mars boys soccer’s rookie head coach Joe Haefner has yet to pick up his first win, but he also has yet to experience a loss.
Thanks to the new PIAA rule that eliminated overtime for regular season games, the Planets are 0-0-3 after Tuesday’s 1-1 tie with Deer Lakes at the Mars Athletic Complex.
Last weekend, Mars battled Taylor Allderdice to a scoreless stalemate and played Hopewell to a 1-1 tie.
“I was an assistant coach here the last four years, and we played a lot of overtime games,” Haefner said. “Some went against us and we won some others. It can go either way. With or without overtime, we never play for a tie.”
Tuesday’s draw may carry some weight with it, however. Deer Lakes is the defending WPIAL Class 2A champion, and the Lancers reached the state semifinals in November.
They moved ahead of the Planets with Artemey Parshyn’s successful penalty kick in the 25th minute, but the lead was short-lived.
Mars reserve forward Sebastian Fratangelo scored the equalizer, beating Deer Lakes (1-0-1) goalie Callen Sabow just three minutes later.
It was the sophomore’s first-ever varsity goal.
“It felt amazing,” Fratangelo said. “My teammates kept telling me I was going to get it, and they helped me score an important goal tonight.
“I played some varsity last year, got more time late in the season. I’ve been on the varsity team all three games this year, and I think I’m full-time now.”
Sabow left the game with an injury late in the first half and was replaced by Dylan Pefferle.
Though the Planets earned four corner kicks in the second half, Pefferle was not challenged.
“Any time a backup is in the game for the other team, whatever the position, you want to test him,” Haefner said. “We were a little disappointed we didn’t have more quality with our set pieces. We’ll go back, watch the film and learn from it.”
Ten of Mars’ 11 starters are seniors, and Haefner is hoping the experience leads to a 25th straight WPIAL playoff appearance for the Planets.
Goalie Collin McAfee, who made three saves in the game, is a first-year starter, but one of the team’s slew of seniors.
“I think we’ve shown a lot of trust in him, and it started last weekend,” said Haefner, a former star goalie for the Planets. “We’ve yet to give up a goal in the flow of play, one on a free kick and another on a penalty kick.”
Mars hosts Knoch on Tuesday, Sept. 8, before opening Section 3-3A play at Penn Hills Sept. 10.
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Mars' Sebastian Fratangelo, center, celebrates with the rest of the team after scoring a goal in a boys soccer game against Deer Lakes Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' boys soccer head coach Joe Haefner speaks with players during halftime in a boys soccer game against Deer Lakes Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Abram Knezovich (14) reacts after losing control of the ball in a boys soccer game against Deer Lakes Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Nathan Helwig (8) passes the ball in a boys soccer game against Deer Lakes Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Turner Cox (18) throws the ball in during a boys soccer game against Deer Lakes Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Luca Martorelli (17) kicks the ball in a boys soccer game against Deer Lakes Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Noah Read (15) carries the ball upfield in a boys soccer game against Deer Lakes Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Mason Rocke (10) saves the ball from going out of bounds in a boys soccer game against Deer Lakes Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Abram Knezovich (14) dribbles the ball upfield in a boys soccer game against Deer Lakes Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Sebastian Fratangelo (35) chases after the ball in a boys soccer game against Deer Lakes Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Mason Rocke (10) competes with a Deer Lakes player to gain control of the ball in a boys soccer game Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Abram Knezovich (14) attempts a shot on goal as a Deer Lakes player moves to block in a boys soccer game against Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
